when a writer makes references to another story or text

Considering and understanding allusions in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'

English

In 'Lord of the Flies', students explore central questions about what gives us authority within society and whether power inevitably corrupts those who hold it. In 'Animal Farm: The Pigs and Power', students also explore the corrupting influence of power and question whether those who hold power are bound to abuse it. 

In 'A Monster Within', students look at villains in gothic fiction and, through their study of context, explore whether they are in fact made monstrous due to social fears and prejudices. In 'Lord of the Flies', students explore the powerful influence of social hierarchy and, using very different context, unpick what Golding's central message about human civilization might be. 

'Lord of the Flies'

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Which of the following stories does Golding allude to 'Lord of the Flies'?

It came from the devil, Beelzebub, who fell from grace.

Man inherited this evil from Adam, as part of his punishment for transgressing.

Milton coined the term as part of this 'Paradise Lost' poem.

Where did the concept of 'original sin' supposedly come from?

rebirth of each boy into more civilised characters

the danger of Jack, also represented by his red hair

the transition from paradise to hell for the island

What might the fire in Chapter 2 of 'Lord of the Flies' symbolise? 

Jack was virtuous when he killed the pig.

Despite the savagery around him, Simon remains virtuous.

Jack's mask gave him the appearance of a virtuous.

Piggy's spectacles show his virtuous nature.

Which of the following sentences about 'Lord of the Flies' uses the word "virtuous" correctly?

to illustrate that the pig head was a demon sent by Satan

to illustrate that this novel is an exploration of innate evil

to show that Jack was acting on behalf of the devil

to contrast with the novel's key theme: civilisation

to illustrate that the novel will be about man's fall from grace 

Why might Golding have chosen the title 'Lord of the Flies' and alluded to Beelzebub?

Which of the following is arguably the central theme of 'Lord of the Flies'?

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning

the process of creating and developing characters in a story

comparing two things in order to show the difference between them

the use of images, words or nouns to represent abstract ideas or qualities

Which character never surrenders to savagery in 'Lord of the Flies'?

the dead body of the littlun who died in the fire

a figment of the boys' imaginations that represents fear

a ghost that the boys imagine haunts the island

What is the "beast" in 'Lord of the Flies'?

An {{ }} is when a writer makes references to another story or text.

to return to an earlier state of development

to make reference to someone else's actions

Someone who ends up in prison has transgressed. What might 'to transgress' mean?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz